Bitter exchanges highlight Hong Kong, China divide

HONG KONG: A bitter family feud between Hong Kongers and their northern neighbours sparked by mainland China's increasing financial and political clout has led to an awkward debate about the former British colony's identity. The glittering southern financial centre has been governed according to the "one country, two systems" formula since its return to Chinese rule in 1997, but recent incidents have made it look more like "one country, two cultures". As both sides enter a year of leadership change and economic uncertainty, some are questioning whether the jangling nerves are evidence of a deeper unease among freedom-loving Hong Kongers about their status under Chinese rule. "This is a period of difficult adjustment and confusion," said political analyst Joseph Cheng of Hong Kong's City University. "About 20 or 30 years ago, Hong Kong people tended to look down on their Ch...